CVE-2017-12356 in Jabber
Summary
by MITRE
A vulnerability in the web-based management interface of Cisco Jabber for Windows, Mac, Android, and iOS could allow an unauthenticated, remote attacker to conduct a cross-site scripting (XSS) attack against a user of the web-based management interface of an affected device. The vulnerability is due to insufficient validation of user-supplied input by the web-based management interface of an affected device. An attacker could exploit this vulnerability by persuading a user of the interface to click a crafted link. A successful exploit could allow the attacker to execute arbitrary script code in the context of the interface or allow the attacker to access sensitive browser-based information. Cisco Bug IDs: CSCvf50378, CSCvg56018.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/25/2021
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2017-12356 affects Cisco Jabber across multiple platforms including Windows, Mac, Android, and iOS operating systems. This represents a critical security flaw within the web-based management interface of the Cisco Jabber client software, which serves as a unified communications platform for voice, video, and messaging services. The vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation mechanisms that fail to properly sanitize user-supplied data before processing within the web interface. This weakness creates an exploitable entry point for malicious actors seeking to compromise the security posture of affected systems. The vulnerability specifically targets the web management interface component of Cisco Jabber, which provides administrators and users with access to configuration settings, user management, and system monitoring capabilities.
The technical exploitation of this cross-site scripting vulnerability occurs when an attacker crafts a malicious link designed to inject malicious script code into the web interface. The insufficient validation of user input allows the attacker to bypass security controls that should normally prevent the execution of unauthorized code. When a victim user clicks on the crafted link, the malicious script executes within the context of the web interface, potentially allowing the attacker to perform actions with the privileges of the authenticated user. This flaw enables attackers to execute arbitrary code in the victim's browser environment, which can lead to various security consequences including session hijacking, data exfiltration, and privilege escalation. The vulnerability specifically affects the web-based management interface, which typically requires authentication for access but can be exploited even before proper authentication occurs due to the XSS flaw.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple script execution to encompass broader security implications for organizations utilizing Cisco Jabber systems. An attacker who successfully exploits this vulnerability can gain access to sensitive browser-based information, potentially including session cookies, user credentials, and other confidential data stored within the browser context. This creates a significant risk for enterprise environments where Cisco Jabber is used for business communications, as the compromise of a single user's browser session can provide access to internal communication channels, contact lists, and potentially sensitive business information. The vulnerability affects the web-based management interface, which typically provides administrative controls that could be leveraged to escalate privileges or modify system configurations. Organizations relying on Cisco Jabber for unified communications face potential disruption to their communication infrastructure and exposure to data breaches.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should focus on immediate patch management and network-level protections. Cisco released security updates addressing this specific XSS vulnerability, and organizations must apply these patches promptly to eliminate the attack surface. Network administrators should implement web application firewalls and content filtering solutions to detect and block malicious payloads attempting to exploit this vulnerability. Additional defensive measures include disabling unnecessary web interface access, implementing strict access controls, and conducting regular security assessments of the web-based management interface. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-79, which describes cross-site scripting flaws in web applications, and represents a classic example of insufficient input validation that enables code injection attacks. From an ATT&CK framework perspective, this vulnerability maps to techniques involving code injection and credential access, potentially enabling adversaries to maintain persistence and escalate privileges within the targeted environment. Organizations should also implement user awareness training to recognize and avoid suspicious links that may attempt to exploit this vulnerability through social engineering attacks.